Vision problem ?

[crl]

My DD tells me that when trying to read, her eye quickly jumps to one letter than back to the one she is supposed to be reading which confuses her. If she is not using her finger (or ours) while he is reading, she loses her place and will repeat lines or skip lines. I noticed that she also inserts letters that aren't there. Example: Yesterday she was trying to read "planes" and came up with "planets" instead. Then today when trying to read "tiny" she started it correctly by using a short "i" sound" once she realized that wasn't a word she tried again but the second try she replaced the "t" with an "f". She just had an eye exam and received new glasses 3 weeks ago. When she first puts on her glasses, she rubs her eyes and blinks a lot for the first 2 minutes.

She is otherwise a healthy, well behaved 6 (almost 7) year old girl. Though when it comes time to read, she struggles so much. At first I thought dyslexia, but I don't know if that is the only problem or if it is something completely different. What do you suggest my next step should be?

[bluedarling]

You need to take her to a developmental optometrist (not a regular optometrist) for an exam that tests how her eyes work together. I have 2 children with these issues, one of which has finished vision therapy, and it made a world of difference in his schooling. www.covd.org (http://www.covd.org) (their website appears down at the moment...but it has a lot of info about what issues they correct, what vision therapy is, etc.)
--Deidre

[RamonaQ]

I agree 100% with PP, and have had similar experiences.

[Meg5]

I agree with the PP, you do need to see a developmental optometrist. My son had similar problems and needed vision therapy. BUT he is also dyslexic. The vision therapy was necessary, but did not solve his problems. So I would encourage you to keep that in mind. If her problems go away after the vision therapy (if she needs it) , great. But there may be more going on. Meg

[Misty]

Some options...

1. A developmental optomestrist can help a lot, but they are expensive and insurance doesn't cover.

2. Go to http://www.irlen.com and purchase some colored overlays..

3. Purchase Dianne Craft's Brain Integration Manual http://www.diannecraft.com/ and go through some of the exercises with your daughter.

4. Look into brain integration exercises with a psychologist or occupational therapist..Interactive Metronome, Makoto, and brain integration exercises helped my daughter (who has a highly gifted IQ, but was not reading optimally for her age and IQ) become an obsessive reader.. She no longer has issues with line-skipping or reading the same lines twice.. She no longer gets headaches.. and she no longer requires her Irlen colored overlays.

[bluedarling]

My oldest started a Vision Therapy program 5 years ago, and it was not covered by insurance. However, when I took 2nd child in this year, I was informed most insurances now cover it. Now both of them are receiving therapy, and the same insurance company that denied it 5 years ago, now is covering it. At least get the exam and description of the problem. If insurance won't cover and you can't afford it...go the route suggested by pp.
--Deidre

[farmgirlinwv]

My oldest started a Vision Therapy program 5 years ago, and it was not covered by insurance. However, when I took 2nd child in this year, I was informed most insurances now cover it. Now both of them are receiving therapy, and the same insurance company that denied it 5 years ago, now is covering it. At least get the exam and description of the problem. If insurance won't cover and you can't afford it...go the route suggested by pp.
--Deidre

Was this covered by your medical insurance? How did you get them to pay? Did you just go and submit the bill? Do tell!:)

[bluedarling]

Our vision therapy clinic knew about what medical insurance would cover (most likely) and what they wouldn't. I was told a lot had changed in that regard in the last couple years, and that's why it pays to keep checking. Anyway, they submit to insurance. My 2nd child had multiple vision issues that needed therapy, but they only listed the one most frequently covered (binocular convergence issues), because the therapy was basically the same regardless of the issue. Our insurance is Aetna, and I was totally convinced they wouldn't pay based on prior experience....but things change!
--Deidre

[RamonaQ]

Our insurance pays. It is billed as a medical condition, which it is. It is not covered 100% but for 9 mo of therapy we have paid about $300.

[farmgirlinwv]

Thanks! I'm going to check it out!